local state power vs. a global strategy (fwd)

I agree with Prof. Dunn's  argument below.... to say that socialism in one
county had problems does not mean that it was meaningless at all...

generally, i see the problem with large sacrifices given to the
business class, particularly in the US. these sacrifices are in the form
of tax exemptions, welfare cuts and low wages. business class is
politically mobilized to pursue its own interests, and the politicians
take them seriously. they form lobies, buy politicians and determine
policy outcomes. they are everywhere as a hegemonic block; in
universities, media,associations, think-tanks, etc.. business influence on
politics is a norm in every capitalist country regardless of where you are
located. to what extent these people can be controlled if states alrady
serve their interests? we are living in an era charecterized by
competitive capitalism, rather than by welfare state capitalism and state
socialism.

some people argue that it is difficult to control the capitalist class in
a sigle nation-state because the capitalists will move their production to
another country (which offers cheap labor). if the state attempts to
regulate the capitalists, they will automatically encounter the state with
investment threat and move elsewhere. that is true. in the world
system, capitalists will always find somebody that will satisfy their
interests. however, if we take into consideration  where the big
multinationals come from, we see that it is the US. in the US, there is
hardly any regulation of the business activity, BUT capitalists still move
their investments elsewhere. so what causes them to move? lack or
existence of state control? 

capitalist economy is defined by a social system where the production is
not in the hands of the state but in the capitalist class. the capitalist
class uses the state to achieve its goals. they also use the inter-state
system to make profit globally. the problem is with capitalism
(as an economic, social and global system) not with socialism. if justice
and fair distributiion of wealth are targeted, we need a system, both
nationally and globally, strong enough to threaten the business interests
if people organize in their home states (or globally) to restrict business
priviliges or even progressive politicians up with specific agendas aimed
at welfare and well-being of the underpriviliged  classes (workers, women,
minorities), i am after that. i do not say it is national, and worth
nothing. however, the purpose is important!! it should target capitalists
and the capitalist order.


Mine

>Recognizing that socialism in one country is impossible does not require
>the further assumption that gaining say within states is necessarily
>meaningless. I see no reason not to pursue both a global and a
>capture-state-power strategy. In an interstate system coming to elected
>office in a single state is not sufficient for  constructing socialism,
>but this is not a reason to pursue only a global strategy. A democratic
>socialist world party should do both.